Large scabs on rooster comb

[NH-McQs]

Hi, Our large German Bielefelder rooster (age 2) has had scabs on his comb for several weeks. They were originally black, and have now changed to the color seen in the attached photos. I have tried to research, and all I can find is either the hens are pecking him or it's fowl pox, and neither looks the same. I didn't think it was frostbite since it's not on the tips of his comb.

He is in a coop with 4 hens, and none of them have the same thing. There are a couple with what appears to be minor winter damage to their combs (we live in New Hampshire).

He is otherwise fine, and seems to be eating, drinking, and acting normally. I would prefer to treat this bird myself if possible, as we have not found an affordable vet in the area. The coop has a sand run, and pine shavings in the house.

Thank you for the help!

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like he has been pecked or injured. When my roosters have had comb injuries, they tend to appear black, then brown, then white until they completely heal. It can take weeks or months to completely heal. Are any of the hens or another rooster pecking him, or could he be injuring it on wire fencing by running into it?

 

[NH-McQs]

Thank you for the reply. He is the only roo we have. I have never seen his 4 hens act aggressive towards him, but I will watch more carefully to see. There are no obvious hazards he could be running into (it's so close to his head), but I will watch carefully. He has been in the same coop/run for 15 months, and this has been much more recent. Thank you again!

 

[Eggcessive]

If you can handle him often, you could try rubbing some vaseline or Triple Antibiotic Ointment on the crusty scab, just to keep them from pecking at it. Sometimes the sticky ointment may help to prevent pecking. Sometimes they will peck at each other on the roost, and I have seen ny own rooster stand and let a hen do that to him.

 

[NH-McQs]

Thank you for the reply. I will put some antibiotic ointment on him. I agree that it may be happening on the roost at night, since i never see hens go after him during the day, and he is really docile.

I will see if we can change things up in the roost. Would it be traumatic for him if we put him in a different coop just at night? It's a pain, but what else do we have to do during the stay-at-home order, right?

 

[Eggcessive]

He might be upset to be separated from the hens at night. Hoepfully the ointment will keep them from pecking him, if that is what is happening.

 

[NH-McQs]

I know it's been a while - thank you for your help in diagnosing my rooster being hen pecked. It has taken a log time, but he is finally healed. It's just one hen that is pecking him. Is there any way to get her to stop? I have had the flock divided for these last 5 months, and I would like to put them back together. I just need to cure that ONE HEN.

Thank you!